Could'a, Would'a, Should'a Protected the Hoodia!

Daniel Harrison

            Could’a, Would’a, Should’a Protected the Hoodia!

Twenty years from now, do we really want to be contemplating such a thought? Failure to
act with immediate effect could lead to extinction becoming a grim reality for the Hoodia
and many other plant species that are being illegally poached and exploited for their
medicinal properties.

The Hoodia plant is one of 400 medicinal plants that has been placed on an ‘at risk of
extinction’ list by the Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI). Hoodia gordonii is
a flowering plant of the Apocynaceae family that is found naturally in semi-desert areas in
southern Africa. Despite its resemblance and physical appearance, the Hoodia is not a
relation of the cactus family. What makes the Hoodia gordonii so interesting to the rest of
the world however is not its repugnant smell, which has been compared to the wonderful
aroma of rotting meat, or (although still incredible) its ability to grow in one of the harshest
environments on the planet, no, the Hoodia gordonii has gained an unfortunate celebrity
status in the world of medicinal plants through its ability to suppress human appetite. A
celebrity status that is matched only by the famous faces in the celebrity showbiz world of
Hollywood who have reportedly indulged and gorged themselves to near starvation on this
unique plant, in an attempt to develop waistlines that are almost invisible to the naked eye.

The indigenous Bushmen who roam the Kalahari Desert and surrounding areas have been
making use of the Hoodia plant for centuries. Prior to and during long hunting trips or
expeditions into the cruel environment of the desert, Bushmen consume the plant flesh in
order to stave off hunger and thirsts. It comes as no surprise that a plant appearing to have
such amazing, ‘magical’ properties of warding off hunger was so greedily eyed upon by the
West. The ingredient responsible for this appetite suppressing effect was quickly isolated
and unglamorously named ‘P57’. Pharmaceutical companies have failed to synthesise ‘P57’
and in doing so the Hoodia gordonii has become an extremely valuable plant, both to the
people of southern Africa and herbal remedy manufacturing companies. Hoodia extracts are

now used in a number of commercial dieting supplement products that have become
popular among overweight westerners who are seeking a means of losing excess weight
without the effort of exertion. The result of this demand from the West has driven prices of
Kalahari Hoodia through the roof and in an attempt to cash in on this apparent ‘gold mine’
poachers began to seek out and gather wild Hoodia plants.

The Hoodia is highly adapted for the extreme weather conditions that exist in the Kalahari,
despite this distribution of the plant is relatively sparse across the expanse of the desert.
They can take several years to reach maturity. Cultivation has also proven to be rather
difficult, although farms do exist in parts of Africa. The culmination of these issues along
with the driving force of the potential for people to make lots of money by exploiting
Hoodia has resulted in CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora) placing all Hoodia plants on a list of species that are under threat
from trade. Only Hoodia gordonii has been found to produce the desired effects of quelling
hunger, yet all Hoodia species have been protected under CITES due to concerns that the
other species could be mistaken for Hoodia gordonii. Through its threatened species status
the Hoodia can now only be collected from the wild or cultivated on farms in South Africa
with a valid permit. The Namibian government initially enforced an all out ban on all
harvesting and cultivation of wild and farmed species but has since followed South Africa by
implementing a permit system which aims to manage and protect the plant against poor
practices.

Illegal poaching and illegal cultivation of wild Hoodia still persists. As the market value and
demand for Hoodia continues to rise it has become ever more tempting for greedy
opportunists and those living in poverty to head out into the deserts of the Kalahari and
attempt to make a quick buck. The resultant effects of this action is putting pressure on wild
populations and threatening to endanger the survival of the plant into the future.

                                                                Hoodia Gordonii key facts:
                                                        Alternative names: ‘Bushman’s hat’, ‘Queen of
                                                        the Namib’ and ‘bobbejaanghaap’

                                                        Plant family: Apocynaceae

                                                        Location: Namibia, South Africa and Angola

                                                        Preferred environment: Desert plains and rocky
                                                        areas and a very hot, dry climate (Namib desert).

                                                        Description and features: Flowering stem
                                                        succulent plant with cactiform features (appears
                                                        similar yet unrelated to cactus family). Can grow
                                                        to up to a metre in height.

                                                        Uses: Historically the plant was eaten by
                                                        indigenous populations to suppress appetite.
                                                        Adapted for the western market and sold as a
                                                        dieting pill.

                                                        Status: Endangered - CITES and BGCI listed.

Why Should we Care?
There are many, many reasons why we should care and attempt to protect this unique
species!

The Hoodia needs to be protected against the threat that is being imposed through poorly
managed trade and illegal poaching.

As pharmaceutical companies have so far failed to produce a synthetic version of the P57
ingredient found in the Hoodia gordonii we have to accept that it will continue to be
exploited in order to supply the demand. We must therefore look at the benefits that can be
gained from such a plant, the benefits are many but will all require varying levels of
management and investment.

Southern Africa is home to a large population who live in poverty. The Hoodia has the
potential to provide economic stability in areas where there is unemployment and
contribute towards improving quality of life.

The Hoodia is part of a more global problem of hundreds of plant species that are being
threatened due to their medicinal properties. If we can implement successful management
strategies for the Hoodia then these can be adapted and used elsewhere in the world.

The plant has historical significance to many tribes who have relied on the natural resources
that the desert areas of Africa have to offer. If the Hoodia were to become threatened to
the point of extinction then we would be on the verge of losing culture and traditions that
have been practised longer than any written history.

It is part of a unique ecosystem that very few species are capable of living in. In such a
sensitive environment biodiversity is integral for supporting and connecting the various
flora and fauna species.

The Bigger Picture – Threat to Medicinal Plants across the Globe
No, the Hoodia is not at all alone in its plight to survive the heady heights of unwanted fame
in the world of medicinal plants. Along with 399 other plant species drawn up by the
Botanic Gardens Conservation International the Hoodia has been defined as at risk of
extinction due to over-collection and deforestation. From the Yew tree whose bark is used
to derive cancer drugs, but numbers are dwindling as it takes almost 6 trees to create just
one dose and supply just cannot cope with the demand, to half of all Magnolia species
which are used in traditional Chinese medicine techniques but are now under threat due to
a loss of habitat from deforestation.

Many of our prescription drugs are derived from chemicals that were first identified in
plants (exactly what we are struggling to do with the Hoodia!) and it is this basic fact that
causes grave concern to many scientists. It is commonly accepted that there are likely to be
many more natural cures for diseases that have yet to be discovered and that deforestation
could be wiping out a vast source of these potential future ‘miracle medicines’. Belinda
Hawkins who is a leading research officer for BGCI worryingly suggests that many cures for
diseases such as cancer will be ‘extinct before they are ever found’.

Action needs to be taken not just to reduce the loss in biodiversity but also in order to
protect the immense value medicinal plants have in both healthcare and in supporting
communities through the generation of income.

What can be done?
The Hoodia is endangered. But it does not have to be the beginning of the end for this
remarkable plant. A reversal of current trends can be achieved by introducing protection
and management strategies in order to stabilise wild populations and prevent escalation of
illegal poaching.

A government and industry based strategy will help to improve the management of Hoodia
farms. Establishing a best practice guide for sustainable farming will increase yields and help
to build up a large volume of mature crops that can be cultivated.

As a signatory of the Convention on Biological Diversity, South Africa and Namibia are legally
required to achieve the main goals of the treaty, most importantly this is:

      Conservation of biodiversity

These nations are legally responsible for monitoring and protecting the Hoodia in its
natural environment.

Promote conservation of the Hoodia in the wild by applying the CBD treaty, educating the
people who may resort to poaching and support organisations such as HOGRAN (the Hoodia
Growers Association of Namibia) who aim to promote the sustainable management of the
plant in the wild. Currently there are just three areas in Namibia where the plant can be
cultivated in the wild. Education can help to encourage locals to protect their native species
and prevent illegal poaching.

Follow the example of Egypt in its success of the Medicinal Plants Conservation Project.
This project has enabled the Bedouin community to cultivate and sustainably harvest wild
medicinal plants. It also operates projects to raise public awareness and biodiversity
education (visit http://www.mpcpegypt.com/English/Global/Index.aspx for more
information).

What can you do?
It may be that you do not live anywhere near a Hoodia gordonii plant or any other medicinal
plant for that matter but as has already been discussed there are many reasons why you
should care about their protection and there are certainly things that you can do to help.

        Support your local botanical gardens – these places invest much of their time and
         money into research into all plant species both local and exotic, research that is vital
         for developing sustainable strategies for managing plants in their natural
         environment.
        If you do use herbal remedies or medicines make sure the ingredients are
         sustainably sourced.
        Hug a Hoodia – If you ever have the privilege of getting involved in plant
         conservation work, whether it is to help manage the Hoodia in Namibia or to plant a
         Yew tree then every effort helps.
        Support HOGRAN

If we can sustainably cultivate our medicinal plants in the future then it will not just be the
health benefits that we take away but also an improved biodiversity and a source of income
for global communities. Nobody wants to be thinking in the future that we ‘could’a,
would’a, should’a protected the Hoodia’, instead we want to be commending the efforts
that have been invested into protecting such a unique species.

For more information visit:
BGCI @ http://www.bgci.org/
CITES @ http://www.cites.org/
HOGRAN @ http://namibia-hoodia.com/htm/social.html                 Daniel Harrison, Environment Dept,
                                                                           University of York